Infant Mortality and Income in 4 world Cities: New York, London, Paris and Tokyo

Objective: We investigated the association between average income or deprivation and infant mortality rate across neighborhoods of four world cities.

Methods: Using a maximum likelihood negative binomial regression model that controls for births, we analyzed data for 1988-1992 and 1993-1997.

Results: In Manhattan, during both periods, we found a statistically significant association between income and infant mortality (.05 level) while in Tokyo there was none. In Paris and London, there was no association in period one. In period two, the association just misses statistical significance for Paris while in London association with a deprivation index is significant.

Conclusions: In contrast to Tokyo, Paris and London, the association of income and infant mortality rate is more strongly evident in Manhattan.